The report states that the American Pro-Life Action League has been actively fundraising in the US to support groups opposed to abortion in Ireland.

A source told the paper that the national director of the group regularly travels to Ireland to take part in Irish anti-abortion demonstrations.

The source said, “The donations could be as much as several hundred thousand dollars.”

The SBP also states that the American Pro-Life Action League is closely aligned with the Irish Youth Defence group. A large amount of the money raised is earmarked for the controversial Youth Defence organisation.

The Pro-Life Action League stepped up fundraising after taking an active interest in the case of Savita Halappanavar.

It has criticised ‘pro-abortion forces’ and claimed: “They have exploited the case for everything it’s worth.”

Members of the pro-life groups protest outside Ireland's government buildingsPA